PTC minutes_ 11.9.21 CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD: Parking and Traffic Commission
SUBCOMMITTEE: None
LOCATION: Virtual meeting
DATE: November 9, 2021
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Richard Benevento (Chair), Darlene Wynne (Vice Chair), Michael
Collins, George Binns, Capt Ryan Laracy, Sgt Michael Henebury,
Richard Vincent
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Jonathan Salt
OTHERS PRESENT: Todd Rotondo, Ward I councilor; Dan Brosnan
RECORDER: Sharlyne Woodbury
Benevento chairs and opens the meeting at 8:30 am.
This is a virtual meeting with special meeting format as required to honor Governor Baker's State of
Emergency declared due to the national crisis of COVID-19.
1. Approval of Minutes
Binns moves approve the October 5, 2021 minutes as presented. Wynne seconds. The motion carries 7-
1-0. Henebury abstains.
Binns moves to approve September 14, 2021 minutes as presented. Discussion on the motion. Wynne
has edits. Motion amended. Binns moves to approve the minutes as amended by Wynne. Wynne
seconds. The motion carries 7-1-0. Henebury abstains.
2. Continued Discussion: Amend Ordinance §270-41 by adding parking prohibited at all times on
west side of Elliot Street from 485 to Beverly/Danvers city line—requested by Ward 1
Councilor Todd Rotondo
Rotondo returns to the commission for further discussion. Members individually performed a site walk
with the commission as a group concluding their jurisdiction on the matter is limited due to the city lines
and the business operating in Danvers correctly. Henebury and Rotondo met for a joint site walk.
Henebury recaps his site walk with Rotondo. Members main point of concern is to not create any future
issues with their present solution recommendations. Collins provides the option: 1) do nothing; 2) make
the westbound side no parking and create a bike lane; or 3) create both west and east bound bike lanes
the entire length of Elliot Street; which is supported by the mayor as part of the master plan. Members
parley adding single and dual bike lanes the length of Elliot Street. Lozada brings up the Christmas tree
stand and other small businesses who may need street parking for customers. Lozada does not advocate
for dual bike lanes at this time. Laracy supports dual bike lanes. Binns questions exactly where the city
line is. He also notes there's a multi-family member home with a lot of on-street parking for the
residents. Binns supports bike lanes.
Rotondo provides an update on the service station and the issue. He spoke with the owner. The owner is
receptive and cognitive of the issue. He is trying to move the cars and not park them on the westbound
side. The residents are now the main occupants of parking on the westbound side. The service station
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November 9,2021 Meeting Minutes
Page 2 of 4
owner is not interested in using the church parking lot. The owner is looking to cut back business and
use his lot at New Bridge Variety deli. Rotondo notes the residents are looking for a quick solution now.
Several residents have teenagers in the near future getting ready to drive and acquire their licenses.The
residents would like the safety concerns addressed before their children are active new drivers.
Benevento confirms with Rotondo,the residents understand once parking is restricted it is for all,
residents included.
Members discuss the procedural aspect of amending the ordinance. Henebury suggests amending the
current ordinance. Anything that exists for bike lanes and parking. Wynne wonders if this is a matter of
better signage. Henebury confirmed despite cars parked well outside of 20 feet of the intersection,
there is still a site issue with residents trying to pull out onto the road. Collins confirms to Rotondo the
signage can be installed by December. Collins does not know if the city has as a policy or ordinance a
history of using bike lanes for restrictive parking. Collins discusses the language/signage for no parking in
bike lanes. Collins advises involvement with the city solicitor's office. Rotondo informs the commission
the ordinance amendment has to go before the council for 3 readings. Collins notes the commission
schedule cannot be driven by the teen's schedule to acquire driver's licenses. Collins suggests the police
chief putting in a 30-day temporary ordinance.
Benevento makes the resolution suggestions.Two buffered bike lanes with amendments to the current
or new ordinance.The ordinance amendment is where they need the solicitor's office to review and
approve. Members would like consistency with the ordinance. Wynne notes the commission can review
the ordinance amendment during the 3-hearing process or does it need to be done beforehand.
Benevento recommends reviewing concurrently.
There being no additional comments or discussion.
Wynne moves to recommend to the Beverly City Council that buffered bike lanes are installed on both
sides of Elliot Street from the Danvers city line to Echo Avenue; in accordance to the MASSDOT
guidelines; upon adoption of the ordinance or changes, the council refers back to the commission for
review as well as any future amendments. Discussion on the motion. Collins does not want the
commission's review to hold up the ordinance process. Henebury notes Rotondo can cross reference the
ordinances. Members further discuss the ordinance processes of review. Discussion concludes. Vincent
seconds the motion.The motion carries 8-0.
3. Discussion: Knowlton Street between Cabot and Dane Streets
Wynne has requests from residents and councilor Rand to make this section a one-way street. Issue
seems to be parking. Dual traffic lanes are a safety issue. Wynne discusses the curb bump-outs due to
recent sidewalk/street construction. Collins notes that is a tight area. It's heavily used in both directions.
Collins notes it is narrow but does not recommend changing to a one -ay street. Wynne is not aware of
any change in traffic patterns. Benevento confirms with Laracy if there are any emergency vehicle access
issues. Henebury does not oppose making that one way, but he does also point out the consequences of
changing the current set up. Members discuss the design of the area.
There being no additional comments; no further action required at this time.
4. General Business
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a. Bicycle parking facilities on Cabot and Rantoul Streets
Wynne discusses the popular sites for installation. Mentions locations like Atomic Cafe and Baptist
church. Wynne discusses the color schemes and rack type. She notes the city are reviewing quotes from
different vendors looking at all options. Binns expresses concerns for the racks interfering with sidewalk
space after installation. It is a different spatial awareness after the bikes are racked vs empty racks.
Laracy agrees with Binns noting the racks should not block or inhibit ADA access points or entryways.
Lozada also agrees and asks if there is a current bike census for the city. Brosnan weighs in this is an
ongoing point of discussion. Lozada recommends including the members with disabilities commission
and independent living to be mindful of the bike racks and how they impact their sidewalk usage.
There being no additional comments; no further action required at this time.
b. Bike parking ordinance
Wynne updates the commission on the ordinances and language to review for the city. Wynne discusses
comparable communities of interest citing Portsmouth and Watertown as examples. Watertown has a
simple ordinance. Wynne will continue to review and work on these language pieces. Brosnan notes
there is state law to reference and review. Benevento inquires what the violations for no parking are
written under. Henebury confirms it is under local ordinance not state. The engineering department has
staff downtown to enforce parking violations. It is a local ordinance with $50 fine associated for parking
in a bike lane.
There being no additional comments; no further action required at this time.
c. North shore crossing
Benevento provides the updates for the commission.They wanted the traffic counts in before the
holiday season starts. Benevento and Wynne review the Barnett project for their service and loading
plan noting they have been reluctant to comply with any requests for follow up. Benevento and Wynne
have tried unsuccessfully to follow up. Emails sent by both informs the applicant the matter will be
taken under review if the commission does not see a loading plan. Benevento opines on the
commission's authoritative ability to create restrictions on plans with follow up consequences. Other
city boards are experiencing the same issues for lack of post development follow up as required by the
applicants. Benevento would like to involve the city solicitor as part of an ongoing discussion to rectify
the restrictions and follow up requirements city boards attach to project development plans.
There being no additional comments; no further action required at this time.
d. Meetings
Benevento inquires about in person meetings. Wynne notes there has been no further discussion about
in person meetings. The decision to meet in person is at the discretion per board. Wynne notes the
hybrid meetings are less desirable. Any meeting in city hall requires masks. Benevento asks if the
commission has a preference. Members appreciate where the pandemic science is at and are
comfortable with the virtual set up. Members also agree the hybrid meeting does not work well.
Members like sharing their screens and adjusting information to scale as necessary.
e. Other
Binns has two items for discussion. First,to address recent city whispers of making Water Street a one-
way street. Members note this is not true, simply a rumor. Second, Binns discusses electric bikes in the
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bike lanes. Would like to know if the city has considered this and what are the thoughts about it.
Benevento acknowledges many cities and town are having several discussions involving the review of
safety concerns for electric bikes. Benevento also suggests deferring to the BBC. Brosnan provides the
updates.The state is looking at standardizing electric bike types, speed and where to group them.There
is a lot of concern for bike paths and off roads with electric bikes.There is motion at the state level.
Brosnan does recommend low powered bikes that allow people to get to their destination, particularly if
there is a handicap. Higher power velocity bikes are to be considered. Benevento notes this is a
discussion in progress with more to come.
Sidebar:
Vincent inquires if the commission ever discussed the cut through between Bridge Street and Eastern
Avenue, pointing out the cut thru has obstructed street view. Benevento notes the residents have not
brought it to the commission's attention. Vincent happens to use this cut through a lot and thinks it
might merit discussion in the future.
There being no additional comments; no further action required at this time.
5. Adjournment
Vincent moves to adjourn. Binns seconds.The motion carries 8-0.
Meeting adjourned 10:00 a.m.
Next meeting scheduled for 12.7.21.